The WildCat Haven animal sanctuary in Sherwood has been fined $5,600 for safety violations, following the fatal cougar attack on an animal technician in November. Renee Radziwon-Chapman, the 36-year-old head keeper had been cleaning a cage at the rural Clackamas County shelter, when her body was discovered in the cougar cage.

Although WildCat’s own policy calls for at least two workers at a time in the cages, Radziwon-Chapman was working alone when she was killed. OPB reports the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited the shelter for not having enough staff to operate safely. It also fined WildCat for an unsafe cage-lock mechanism.

Rebecca Webb
Latest posts by Rebecca Webb (see all)